Fence assembly

ABSTRACT

A fence assembly comprising a plurality of panels with a panel about to be connected to panel. The panel is shown in part with a dappled appearance at due to the inclusion of a shrink-wrap cover applied to the panel. All other panels also have a similar coating. The panel has a based form of a rigid mesh. The shrink-wrap material is applied to the mesh as a flat panel. The panel with the shrink-wrap so applied is then folded over at the top and bottom to form rail as a lower rail and an upper rail. The panels taper so the spacing between the upper and lower rails is wider at one end than the other so the panels are effectively left and right handed. A star picket is driven ground through the overlapping rails. A cap is applied to the posts and held by a retainer and pin.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a fence assembly and in particular but notlimited to a temporary fence assembly for use adjacent to constructionsites or the like as a barrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The art of fencing is a crowded art. In particular the field of portablefencing and temporary fencing is well developed and over many yearsthere has not been a truly inexpensive and effective barrier that may beeasily installed and utilising readily available materials. Thus thereremains a need for ever more efficient use of materials and labour in afield that is crowded with all manner of fencing variations andcombinations. Thus there is always a need for fencing that is cheap andeconomical to make and install there being a long felt need to optimisethese two factors but still ensure that the fencing is adequate for theintended purpose. Recent granted patents show that there continues to bea need for cost effective and improved fencing in a competitive field.The present invention relates to the use of rigid mesh panel as thebasic element in the assembly. A search of the patent literature revealsrelevant recent patents that also use rigid mesh as the basic element.These include U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,914, U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,250, U.S.Pat. No. 5,542,649, U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,602, U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,279,U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,753, U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,080 and U.S. Pat. No.5,184,800.

In some situations the appropriateness of particular barriers isquestionable as to the cost and efficacy. For example, as is occasionedtemporary barriers range from flexible roll out perforated plasticssheeting which is very cheap, usually used near pedestrian traffic, butmay be easily displaced by wind or minor impacts to rigid structures.The rigid structures which are very expensive are usually used nearvehicular traffic.

While many of these patents describe fencing that is suitable for theapplication to a temporary or portable fence, they have a number ofdisadvantages relating to use. These include problems with ease ofassembly/disengaging, difficulties associated with ease of relativepanel movement to account for non-straight fence requirements anddifficulties inhibiting flow of site debris particularly dust throughthe fence.

OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly it is an objection of the present invention to provide afence assembly that enables a non-straight fence to be easily assembledfrom mesh panels and wherein a cheap and effective fence is provided andwhere the invention provides a useful alternative to the prior art.

In one broad aspect there is provided a fence assembly comprising panelsformed from a covered rigid mesh adjacent panels having overlappingsections of the panels, the overlapping sections of the panels forming apost pass through passage means, and there being post meansinterconnecting the adjacent panels at the overlapping sections andpassing through post pass through passage means.

In one preferred form the invention provides a fence assembly comprisingpanels formed from a covered rigid mesh preferably covered with ashrink-wrap coating, adjacent panels having overlapping sections of thepanels, the overlapping sections of the panels forming part of anoperative pivot means enabling construction of an non-straight fence,and there being post means interconnecting the adjacent panels at theoverlapping sections.

In another preferred form the panels are covered with a shrink-wrapplastics coating so the panels are impermeable to passage of dust,adjacent panels having longitudinal upper and lower flanges spaced attheir ends so that the flanges of one panel fits inside the flanges ofthe other panel in overlapping relation, the mesh at the flanges at theregion of overlap forming the post pass through passage means and inconjunction with the post forming an operative pivot means enablingconstruction of an non-straight fence, and the post meansinterconnecting the adjacent panels at the overlapping sections.

Preferably the post means connects the panels at the pivot means so thatthe post functions as a pivot pin passing through the overlappingsections of the adjacent panels.

The panels are preferably formed from a pre-shrink wrapped rigid meshsheet formed while flat and having folded upper and lower rails formedby folding over upper and lower edges of the mesh respectively. Thus therails have end apertures formed by a portion of the mesh, the endapertures of adjacent panel rails overlapping and a post is able tooperative pass through overlapping upper and lower rail apertures toconnect the panels together in a hinge pin configuration. Preferably,each panel tapers to one end so that the narrow end of an adjacent panelfits inside the wide end of the next adjacent panel at the region ofoverlap.

Preferably, each post has a cap applied to the post. Typically, the capcomprises a mushroom shaped cap having a hollow stem section which fitsover the post. The cap also preferably includes a groove so that a strapsecured to the post, usually by a pin, may pass over the cap to retainthe cap in operative position.

Each post is usually driven into the ground a predetermined distancesuited to the panel height and therefore the panel height may beadjusted by adjusting the post height.

Preferably, each post has spaced holes so that a pin may be insertedthrough one of the holes to enable the panel position on the post to beadjusted. In one embodiment a strap, comprising a U-shaped filament,typically wire, having eyelets at its free ends passes over the top ofthe post, usually over the cap, the eyelets being positioned in-linewith one of the holes in the post and then a pin is inserted through theeyelets and the hole in the post. In this case the panel slides downonto the pin. This means the panel may either rest on the ground orsubject to how far the post is driven into the ground the bottom of thepanel may be held above ground.

Preferably, an extruded coping is applied to the upper rail of theassembled fence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood andput into practical effect, reference will now be made to theaccompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of theinvention and wherein:—

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a fence including a non-straightfence assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway part view of a an operative pivot means derived fromoverlapping rail sections and a star picket as post and hinge pin.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are respective section, side view and end view of apanel and rail construction;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are respective section and side views of a preferredpanel;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the embodiments of FIGS. 3A to 3C but ina shorter panel;

FIGS. 6A to 6C corresponds to the embodiment of FIGS. 4A to 4B but in asmaller panel;

FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate various accessories; and

FIGS. 10 to 17 illustrate the assembly process

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1 there is illustrated afence assembly 10 comprising a plurality of panels 11, 12, 13 and 14with a panel 15 about to be connected to panel 11. The panel 11 is shownin part with a dappled appearance at 16 and 17 due to the inclusion of ashrink-wrap cover applied to the panel 11. All other panels also have asimilar coating. The panel 11 has a based form of a rigid mesh. Theshrink-wrap material is applied to the mesh as a flat panel. The panelwith the shrink-wrap so applied is then folded over at the top andbottom to form rail 18 as a lower rail and 19 an upper rail. The panelstaper so the spacing between the upper and lower rails is wider at oneend than the other so the panels are effectively left and right handed.This enable the narrow end of one panel to be inserted inside the wideend of the next panel It is usual to provide a positioning sticker atone end to identify the right or left ends.

By reason of the mesh dimension and the selection of the rail width forrails 18 and 19 the end of the rail is created with a suitably sizedplastic covered aperture at 20 and 21 which may simple be cut or spearedthrough so that a star picket 22 may punch through to form the apertures20 and 21 to secure the panel in its operative position by driving thestar picket into the ground.

The panel 11 is 2400 mm long and the panel 12 is 1125 mm long, theheight of the panels is nominally 1070 mm high. The rails 18 and 19simply overlap so the respective end apertures 20 and 21 are positionedin overlapping configuration so that the star picket may pass throughthe overlapping apertures to connect the panels together as shown in theassembled portions of the fence in FIG. 1.

The star picket is so sized and the aperture of the folded rail sectionso chosen that the panels are able to rotate with the star picket 22operatively performing the function of a pivot pin thus the combinationprovides a pivot means at the juncture between adjacent panels. Thus thepanels may be positioned say at 90 degrees the post 22 driven intoposition and then the panel so connected may be swung through variousangles up until the straight on position as panels 11 and 12 illustratedso that either a straight or non-straight fence may be formed. Thus thebasic fence of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1.

In addition to this in FIG. 1 reflective warning tape is adhered to thepanels as illustrated at 23. This will be described further below inrelation to FIG. 3A.

FIG. 2 illustrates in more detail the preferred arrangement at the pivotconnection between adjacent panels such as 11 and 15 whereby the starpicket 22 is capped by a cap 24 held in place by a wire retainer 25. Thewire retainer itself is retained by a latching pin 26 as illustratedpassing through a hole in the post. An extruded plastic coping 26 isapplied to the upper rail 19, the upper rail 19 in this case includingreturn flange 27, the coping 26 having an outer surface 28 which may bemarked in accordance with the striped warning marking illustrated on thetape 23 of FIG. 1. An alternative again is that the tape 23 may beapplied to the coping 26 as illustrated in FIG. 3A.

The coping is an extrusion illustrated in FIG. 7 while the retainer andlatching pin are illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

The process for assembly of a barrier on-site is illustrated with regardto FIGS. 10 to 17 and the steps involved are set out as follows:

-   1. Check for underground services.-   2. Visualise where the barrier is to be placed.-   3. Run a string line between beginning and end points of each    straight section.-   4. Lay panels out along the line.-   5. Cut a small cross (FIG. 11) in plastic membrane at both ends of    top and bottom flanges in each panel.-   6. Stand the first panel at left hand end of the line.-   7. Ensure the flanges of the panel face away from you and the    positioning sticker is positioned to the right (FIG. 10). The panels    are folded with the left-hand end slightly narrower than the    right-hand end so larger end can overlap the narrower end.-   8. Place a 650 mm long star picket (FIG. 12, 13) through the cuts in    the top and bottom flanges on the left-hand end of the panel, with    holes in picket furthest away from you.-   9. Drive picket into ground until second hole from top of picket is    approx 50 mm above the top flange (FIG. 13).-   10. Stand the second panel and place its narrower end into the wider    end of the first panel overlapping the second panel by 50 mm.-   11. Place a second star picket through the cuts in the overlapped    flanges of the first and second panels, and drive picket into ground    same as Step 9.-   12. Repeat Steps 10 and 11 until all panels have been erected.-   13. Place a cap (FIG. 15) onto top of each picket.-   14. Place cap retainer (FIG. 6) over cap into locating groove.-   15. At each picket, lift panels approx 50 mm so retainer passes    through cuts in top flanges.-   16. Line up holes in retainer with second hole from the top of the    picket, and place latching pin through all 3 holes (FIG. 17). Bottom    of barrier will be approx 50 mm off ground.    Where a retainer & latching pin cannot be used, a 550 mm nylon cable    tie may be used to retain the caps in place.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of thepresent invention many variations and modifications thereto will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broadambit and scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

1. A fence assembly comprising panels formed from a covered rigid meshadjacent panels having overlapping sections of the panels, theoverlapping sections of the panels forming a post pass through passagemeans, and there being post means interconnecting the adjacent panels atthe overlapping sections and passing through post pass through passagemeans.
 2. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein the panels arecovered with a shrink-wrap plastics coating so the panels areimpermeable to passage of dust, adjacent panels having longitudinalupper and lower flanges spaced at their ends so that the flanges of onepanel fits inside the flanges of the other panel in overlappingrelation, the mesh at the flanges at the region of overlap forming thepost pass through passage means and in conjunction with the post formingan operative pivot means enabling construction of an non-straight fence,and the post means interconnecting the adjacent panels at theoverlapping sections.
 3. A fence assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe post means connects the panels at a pivot means so that the postfunctions as a pivot pin passing through the overlapping sections of theadjacent panels.
 4. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein thepanels are formed from a pre-shrink wrapped rigid mesh sheet formedwhile flat and having folded upper and lower rails formed by foldingover upper and lower edges of the mesh respectively.
 5. A fence assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the panels are formed from a pre-shrinkwrapped rigid mesh sheet formed while flat and having folded upper andlower rails formed by folding over upper and lower edges of the meshrespectively, the rails so formed have end apertures formed by a portionof the mesh, the end apertures of adjacent panel rails overlapping, apost being able to operatively pass through overlapping upper and lowerrail apertures to connect the panels together in a hinge pinconfiguration.
 6. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein eachpanel tapers to one end so that the narrow end of an adjacent panel fitsinside the wide end of the next adjacent panel at the region of overlap.7. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein each post has a capapplied to the post.
 8. A fence assembly according to claim 1 whereineach post has a cap applied to the post, the cap comprises a mushroomshaped cap having a hollow stem section which fits over the post.
 9. Afence assembly according to claim 1 wherein each post has a cap appliedto the post, the cap including a groove so that a strap secured to thepost may pass over the cap to retain the cap in operative position. 10.A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein each post is driven intothe ground a predetermined distance suited to the panel height andtherefore the panel height may be adjusted by adjusting the post height.11. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein each post has a capapplied to the post and each post has spaced holes so that a pin may beinserted through one of the holes to enable the panel position on thepost to be adjusted.
 12. A fence assembly according to claim 1 whereineach post has a cap applied to the post and a strap, comprising aU-shaped filament having eyelets at its free ends passes over the top ofthe post cap, the eyelets being positioned in-line with a hole passingthrough the post, and a pin is inserted through the eyelets and the holein the post.